Enchanted Evenings: New York's Top Event Planners

by allison polster

A wedding by Jung Lee’s Fête at the Colony Club

Amy Atlas
When it comes to dessert, Amy Atlas Events knows how to take a soirée to the next level. The eventeur, who releases her first book this April, is known for her elaborate dessert bars featuring bright cupcake, cookie, and candy creations, which she describes as “edible art.” 917-940-4740

Colin Cowie
When dreaming up his events, Cowie first looks at the big picture then delves into the details, taking each of the five senses into account. The event designer, who introduced the trend of individual mini wedding cakes, works within one color family “from the invitation to the thank you notes” to “create a cohesive vision.” 256 W. 36th St., Fl. 4, 212-396-9007

David Tutera
Forever a trendsetter, Tutera introduced water walls in the ’90s at a Grammy party, as well as the use of multiple dinner table shapes. “My signature style has always been the unexpected,” Tutera says. 470 Seventh Ave., 11th Fl., 212-229-9280

Jennifer Gilbert
Gilbert and her Save the Date event-planning company specialize in finding unique spaces across the city, such as a private home not typically open to the public or a Lower East Side nook. Gilbert’s first book, I Never Promised You a Goodie Bag, debuts this spring. 18 Harrison Street, Penthouse, 212-333-3283

Jung Lee
Lee, the mastermind behind Fête, creates rich spaces with layers of detail so expertly developed that the room looks as though “it is the only way it could ever be,” says Lee. You won’t find props or anything transitional at Lee’s affairs, all of which are produced in-house from start to finish. 419 Park Avenue S., 4th Fl., 212-725-7268

Kenny Davis
An artist at heart, Davis designs to tell a story. For a recent wedding, Kenny Davis Design built a tree house mid-room covered in roses and moss, brought in giant trees, and topped it off with a star-drop drape reminiscent of a rain-forest canopy. 631-745-2887

Marcy Blum
“While all the events are very pretty, it is much more about the feeling of hospitality, which is more memorable than just the visual pop,” says Blum, who regularly hires hosts to personally escort each guest to his or her table and people to take coats upon arrival in lieu of a coatroom line. 55 Fifth Ave., 19th Fl., 212-929-9814

Preston Bailey
A favorite of celebrities such as Oprah Winfrey, Joan Rivers, and Donald Trump, Bailey is known for his intricate floral creations and over-the-top, dramatic environments. An industry veteran with more than 30 years of experience, Bailey has authored five books on event design. 147 W. 25th St., 11th Fl., 212-691-6777

Sofia CrokosCrokos describes herself as an architect, stylist, and producer for her sophisticated fêtes. The passionate eventeur thrives when creating special moments, such as orchestrating a surprise video by the father of the bride at a recent wedding that brought both laughter and tears to attendees. 16 W. 23rd St., 4th Fl., 212-929-1076